Alcohol and Drug Interactions

Depressants (Xanax, Valium) combined with alcohol have a synergistic effect, with the potential for dangerous and even lethal consequences, with rapid onset of dizziness, stumbling, loss of sphincter control, memory loss, and potential death.

Stimulants (e.g., Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta) combined with alcohol conceal alcohol’s effects, so people cannot gauge their level of intoxication, which can result in over-consumption, e.g. significant impairment of coordination and judgment, "blacking out", passing out, and potential death.

Prescription opiates (e.g., Vicodin, OxyContin, Tylenol 3 with codeine, Percocet) combined with alcohol can result in slowed or arrested breathing, lowered pulse and blood pressure, unconsciousness, coma, and potential death.

Alcohol raises absorption of THC and increases the effects of severe intoxication, dizziness, vomiting, paranoia, and decreased functioning. Cannabis suppresses the gag reflex and may leave intoxicated individuals unable to throw up, therefore causing alcohol poisoning.  The most common side effects include: changes in emotional behavior, compromised judgment, decreased attention, perception, and memory, Impaired motor coordination, thinking, and problem solving, memory loss.

Caffeine masks the depressant effects of alcohol, and can sometimes result in you drinking more. It also tricks your body into thinking you are not tired. Your body may be more intoxicated than you think you are due to the effects being masked. This can lead to increased drinking and even alcohol poisoning. Caffeine increases dehydration and the chance of a hangover. 

Alcohol reduces the euphoric feeling that Ecstasy causes, and combining the 2 puts a tremendous strain on the kidneys. Mixing alcohol with Ecstasy causes dangerous dehydration. Most Ecstasy-related deaths are the result of mixing the drug with alcohol. Furthermore, both drugs lower inhibitions on their own — an effect that only increases when taken together.

It is very dangerous to mix alcohol with Hallucinogenic drugs because the contents of the latter can be adulterated. Mixing alcohol with Hallucinogens may cause adverse side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal effects. Severe depression is often a side effect that occurs while combining alcohol with Hallucinogens.

Mixing alcohol with Meth is one of the most dangerous possible combinations. The combination of alcohol and Meth puts extreme pressure on the heart and greatly raises blood pressure. Violent behavior and sexual promiscuity are very common with both of these substances. This mix also causes significant kidney damage and worsens hangovers.

More than 150 medications interact harmfully with alcohol. Alcohol's effects are heightened by medicines that depress the central nervous system, such as sleeping pills, antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and some painkillers. In addition, medicines for certain disorders, including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, can have harmful interactions with alcohol. Using alcohol with a prescribed drug or an over-the-counter drug may affect your liver's ability to metabolize the medication and can decrease the medication's effectiveness. The combination of drugs can also multiply the effects of the alcohol and the medication and may cause liver damage.